Wednesday, March 5th, 1856. Spent the day at the office preparing to leave for M [-] Received letters from Brother Carrigan Emily Hill, William Woowards, and many more.

6. Thursday. Spent the time at the office making appointment of [-] to the poor to go out with the funds.

7. Friday. Went to the steamship office & engaged passage to America accompanied by Brother Van Cott. Informed the clerk we wanted for 3 passengers . Elder Jams Lynforth gave me a map of Utah. Received a letter from Brother Percy informing me that my portrait was done. During the week letters from Sister Potter saying she wanted to go in the same vessel that I did across the sea and wished my attendance at Leeds.

8. Saturday. Was many times at the office. Received 10 pounds from Brother Franklin to purchase articles for my family. Did not buy any at this time. Received an order on Brother Franklin from D. Jones of 30 pounds to purchase carriage &.

9. Sunday. Stayed at home all day. Brother Leonard from India arrived at 9 in the morning. Was glad to see me. Wrote several letters and some in my journal.

10. Monday. Brother J. Ferguson came from London according as requested by Brother Franklin to receive instruction concerning his taking charge of the passengers on board the "Enoch Train" also to get instruction in bookkeeping as my clerk in America. He brought us news that Brother Goodsall was in trouble. Brother Ellson [Ellison] came about the same time from Birmingham.

11. Tuesday. Spent the fore part of the day at the office decided that I leave on Saturday the 15th on board the Canada for Boston. This decision was made about 2 o'clock p.m. Immediately after I left for Leeds where I arrived at 8 o'clock found Brother J. [PROBABLY Joseph] A. Young at Brother Foxes who informed me that all things are done on the subject of Sister Potters emigration. I stayed until 11 o'clock next day.[p. 1]

12. Wednesday. Started from Leeds for Liverpool where I arrived at 1 o'clock, called at the office, found all well at 2 o'clock went to Lime Street Station, found Sister Potter and Baggars, which went to Sister Wignals, herself to Mrs. Powells. [UNCLEAR]

13. Thursday. After breakfast went to engage passage, was told that we could not get 2 cabin passage for no more than two. I told the clerk I had engage passage for 3 there and was depending upon them after a little parley he said I could have them. Spent the evening at the office, many walks with Franklin & talk upon the subject of emigration in the states.

14. Friday. Telegraph Elder C G. Webb to come to Liverpool. Had had some talk with Brother Webb about his going with me to the states to assist in making hand cart. Elder Goodsall was also telegraphed for, both of whom arrived not until Saturday at about 10 o'clock. Received from Brother Carrigan 2 packages of present from the Nottingham, Derby & Licestershire Conference consisting of ladies jackets, or mostly stocking, mitts, comforters and many more good presents, for which I returned a letter of thanks. And I will say here that I had the honor of presenting a gold watch to Brother Franklin on behalf of the elders from America of the most superb order, to which he made a very humble & thankful reply. This was done on Tuesday the 11th.

15. Saturday. Elder Webb and Goodsall arrived expecting to pay first cabin passage but just as the booth was to close they got each a 2nd cabin passage. At one o'clock after bidding a goodbye to old England and all our good friends and receiving from Brother Franklin 50 pounds to pay for my expense across the sea and home and also 6 pounds worth of books & about 7 pounds to purchase other articles with, I left in company with Elder Van Cott, Goodsall, Webb and a sister named Mary Brown, all Saints.

Previous to my leaving Brother Franklin gave me a letter of instruction informing me to act as his foraging agent for Perpetual Emigration Fund passage from Atlantic to Utah, with power to contract & use his name in all maters necessary to execute his wishes in those matters. I had also a letter of introduction to a firm or shipbroker office by the name of the "Enoch Train" to draw on Franklin D. Richard at will and he would honor said draft. [p. 2]

I had also received instruction from Brother Percy that my portrait was done, and a few copies forwarded, Brother Franklin had ordered 1600, to be struck off. The ship got under way at 2 o'clock. All present. Took our tea at 5, all well, soon after all of our company were ill.

16. Sunday. Weather pleasant. All sick, not any of us set at the table this day. I and Brother Van Cott took a little soup. Sister [Mary Brown] took nothing all day, was the sickest of any on board. Brother Goodsall about the same.

17. Monday. Weather fine. All sick yet and many of the passenger.

18. Tuesday. Weather fine head winds. I and Brother Webb took a good dinner. Van Cott, Goodsall and the sister took nothing. During my stay thus far I have had several conversations with a minister but I do not yet know of what denomination, also with another gentleman from Boston, a silk dealer and one from Ohio and all the 2nd cabin passengers are quite pleasant. It is now about 3 o'clock. I am writing this. Nots [UNCLEAR POSSIBLY Notice] the sister on promenade deck lying ill. Brother Webb and Goodsall in their bunk, Brother Van Cott about the deck.

19. Wednesday. Weather continued stormy head winds, cold, no fire. Had conversation on the subject of religion. The Reverend Doctor Houston preached in the evening after which Elder Van Cott proposed that Elder C G. Webb occupy a few moment in lecture on the same subject or any that he might suggest. Accordingly after the reverend gentleman had done. Elder Webb gave a lecture. This day as had been the case in many days before the Reverend Mr. Houston was seeking the company of the Saints and me in particular, saying to Brother Goodsall that I was a thoughtful man and he had hope of doing me much good on the passage.

20. Thursday. Weather bad. Head winds. Cold in the saloon. The balance of the week was much the same as the last 3 days.

21. Friday. The passengers began to find out that we were Mormons casting sneers and scandal upon us but would not meet us in discussion.

22. Saturday. Weather cold. [p. 3]

23. Sunday. Attended divine service in the after cabins. Prayers were read and after which the Reverend Doctor Hoston delivered a short discourse. Both as to time, height, depth, length and breath; just nothing at all. In the evening the same was repeated in the fore cabin and a notice that a fairwell discourse would be delivered by himself on Wednesday.

24. Monday. Weather cold and stormy.

25. Tuesday. Stormy and cold.

26. Wednesday. Weather stormy and cold. In the evening, according to previous appointment had a discourse from Doctor Houston after which Elder Webb gave a short discourse on the first principals which was listened to with apparent interest by the passengers. At the commencement of Elder Webb's discourse the domonie left the room which was looked upon with disgust by the passengers as he was the cause of his preaching by interceding with the captain. At this time the captain of the boat wished to put a stop to discussions on religious subjects. But after the lecture all took a part in the conversation on Mormonism which gave us a chance to exhibit our doctrine.

27. Thursday. Weather cold and wet. Much talk on Mormonism and many new ideas was advanced by us which was generally approved.

28. Friday. At 9 o'clock a.m. arrived at Halifax. Went on shore, got apple & cider. Left at 11 o'clock for Boston.

29 Saturday. Weather cold. Head winds about 6 miles per hour.

30. Sunday. Weather pleasant. At 4 o'clock arrived at Boston. Got our goods trunks past the custom house office by paying 1 pound as a feeler. This ended the 15 days passage on board the steamship Canada. Paid 4 dollars for carriage to haul ourselves and baggage to the hotel or Bromfield House in Bromfield Street. Had a good supper, attended lecture & concert lecture. [UNCLEAR, POSSIBLY lecture]

31. Monday. Cold upon "Enoch Train" &c. 20 State Street also at their office at 415 Commercial Street, was kindly entertained by Mr. Twain and all interested with him. [p. 4] [UNCLEAR]

Same day called upon Mr. Twichel, the president of the Boston & Massachusetts Limited Railroad Company. Mr. Armstrong accompanied me by request of Mr. Twain. Mr. Twichel not being at home could do no business. (Went to theater.)

1. April, Tuesday. Spent the day making inquiry for price of passage of emigrants to Iowa City. Left proposal with Mr. Twichel for answer which is promised by Saturday next. In the evening called on another office on the subject of emigration agent named R. R. Randall who took my conditions with a promise to reply to me in New York on Saturday. This day exchanged sovereigns at 4.85 with the Enoch Train House but could not do as well at any other place. Sold bills or bank notes on London for 4.80.

2. Wednesday. Elder Webb and Sister Goodi, left for Iowa City, paid $30.40 a piece for passage. . . . [p. 5]

BIB: Spencer, Daniel. Diary (March 5, 1856 - April 23, 1857) (Ms 2737), bx. 20, fd. 3, vol. 9, pp. 1-5. (typescript). (CHL)
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